INUVIK
Running a club with a dedicated group of regulars in a transient town like Inuvik can be tough.

Squash players practise their skills. From left to right are Squash NWT President Spider Jones, Anne-Marie Jennings, Wanda Tobin, Hani Dangoria and Inuvik coach Grant Convey. The Inuvik squash club hopes to start a league in the near future. - Stewart Burnett/NNSL photos

"We have a diverse level of skill and participation here in Inuvik," said coach Grant Convey.

Regulars come and go and the scene waxes and wanes with the seasons. The high point in winter sees about 30 people involved, dropping down to around 15 in summer.

In the past there's been a bit of a repetition of training people up from beginner levels and then seeing them move away. Convey wants to see more of that skill flourish and stay in town, especially with regards to training youth.

He's hoping the creation of a league will help grow the sport and attendance.

"A league will hopefully commit people to coming and playing the game on a more regular basis," said Convey. "It's a game that grows through word of mouth. Our goal is to make sure that people who get interested in the sport stay with the sport and there's always someone here to help them improve if they want to."

With the goal of increasing involvement and skill level in town, the club brought up Squash NWT President Spider Jones for three days of clinics last weekend.

"It's always great to come to Inuvik," said Jones. "It's a strong squash town, the players are very keen, very friendly, (and) very supportive. The courts are great and we'd sure like to grow the squash program in Inuvik."

The game is straightforward to learn and very difficult to become great at, he said.

He worked with players on their ability to reflexively choose smart targets and hit them consistently.

"Levels of fitness are significantly higher with the pros but it's just a matter of time, and people have to start somewhere," he said.

The overarching goal is to make the game fun for any level of player, he said.

"We'd like to make sure they're being challenged without being overwhelmed," said Jones.

"We blend routines that fatigue the player while still obliging them to hit precise shots. That's what squash is all about: being physically under duress and executing quality shots."

He compared the spirit of squash to golf.

"It's an outstanding sport to develop sportsmanship," said Jones.

"There's an obligation for you to be exceptionally honest. If you don't get to the ball in time or if you miss-hit a ball and carried it or scooped into the front wall, then it's up to you to immediately call it on yourself. It's game that enshrines fair play."

Convey said another benefit of learning the game is it opens doors to travelling around the North and meet the greater squash community.

He went to Yellowknife for a tournament and said it was a very rewarding experience.

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